Adjustable head piece



Aug. 7, 1962 R. MALcoM, JR 3,047,876

ADJUSTABLE HEAD PIECE Filed Deo. s, 1958 2 sheets-sheet 1 Aug. 7,` 1962 R. MALcoM, JR

ADJUSTABLE HEAD PIECE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 d llllllll INVENTOR.

Filed Dec. 8, 1958 United States Patent O 3,047,876 ADJUSTABLE HEAD PIECE Robert Malcom, Jr., Chicago, lll., assigner to Chicago Eye Shield Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Dec. 8, 1958, Ser. No. 778,968 Claims. (Cl. 2 9) The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved head piece for supporting la protective face piece or the like on the head of the wearer, wherein the head band thereof is a molded synthetic plastic strip which is contoured to conform to the shape of the head of the wearer and which is adjustable to fit the head of the wearer, wherein `adjustment lof the head `band to lit the head of the wearer is readily and simply accomplished, wherein too tight adjustment of the head band and breakage of the adjusting means is prevented, wherein a synthetic plastic cross band is adjustably pivotally secured to the side portions of the head band to conform to the head of the wearer, wherein the molded synthetic plastic head band has mean-s integrally molded thereon for so adjustably pivotally receiving the cross band, wherein the cross band has a relatively large area engaging the top of the head of the wearer for comfort purposes, and wherein means are also integrally molded on the head band for detachably -supporting the protective face piece.

Further objects of this invention reside in the details of construction of the adjustable head piece and in the cooperative relationships between the component parts thereof.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying specification, claims and drawings in which:

FIG. l is la perspective of one form of the adjustable head piece of this invention as 'applied to the head of a wearer.

FIG. 2 is also a perspective view of the adjustable head piece.

1G. 3 is a sectional viewthrough the rear portion of the head band of the head piece illustrating the manner of adjusting the head band.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line fl-l of FiG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of various parts included in the adjusting means illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another form of cross band for the adjustable head piece as illustrated in FIGS. l `and 2.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the elongated molded synthetic plastic strip which is utilized in forming'the head band of the head piece illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view showing the manner of adjustably pivctally securing the cross band to the side portions of the head band and also showing one form of the means `for supporting the protective face piece on the :adjustable head piece.

FIG. l0 -is la vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 11)-10 of FIG. l0.

FIG. 1l is a perspective view of `another form or" the means for supporting the protective face piece on the adjustable head piece.

FIG. l2 is an enlarged perspective view similar to FIG. 9 but illustrating still another means for detachably supporting the protective face piece on the adjustable head prece.

FIG. 13 is la vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 13-13 of FIG. l2.

I by the adjustable head piece.

3,047,876 Patented Aug. 7, 1962 ice FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating one kind of protective lface piece or the like which supported by the adjustable head piece.

Referring first to FIGS. l, 2 and 8, one lform of the `adjustable head piece of this invention is generally designated at 10. It includes an elongated molded synthetic plastic strip 11 which is preferably injection molded from a high impact synthetic plastic material, such as high Itensile strength nylon or modied polyethylene or the like. As shown more clearly in FIG. 8, the synthetic plastic strip 11 includes an elongated and upwardly curved central section 12 and elongated and downwardly curved end sections 15, the end sections 15 being downwardly offset from the central section 12 as illustrated at 16. This elongated strip 11 is bent into a substantially circular head band with the downwardly offset sections 15 overlapping. The central section 12 of the strip forms a front portions 13 and side portions 14 of the head band. The overlapping end sections 15 of the strip form a downwardly oliset rear portion of the head lband. Because the cent-ral section 13 of the strip is upwardly curved, lthe front portion 13 of the head band slants rearwardly to fit against the `forehead of the wearer when the strip is =bent into the circular shead band. This rearward slanting of the front portion of the head band causes the head band to fit flat against the forehead of the wearer, thereby providing maximum contact area and maximum comfort to the wearer. Because the end sections 15 of the strip are curved downwardly, they also slant rearwardly when they are overlapped to `form the rear portion of the head band. They also lit flat against the lower rear of the head of the wearer to provide maximum comfort. Because the overlapping end sections of Athe strip are oiset downwardly with respect to the central section of the strip they lie below the usual bump on the rear of the head of the wearer and this also adds greatly to the comfort afforded By reason of the upward and downward curvatures in the molded strip and the downward offsetting of the overlapping end sections a good `and comfortable fit to the head of the wearer is at all times assured.

The overlapping end sections 15 of the head band are eachprovided with a slot 17. One of the slots 17 having teeth 18 extending upwardly from the bottom edge therei of and the other slot 17 having teeth 18 extending downwardly from the upper edge thereof. The teeth 18 in the slots 17 `are preferably of the rounded type. The overlapping ends 15 of the strip are received in a molded synthetic plastic sleeve 20, this sleeve preferably being molded from nylon, modiiied polyethylene or the like. The sleeve 20 is rectangular in cross sectional configuration and internally is somewhat wider than the width of the overlapping end sections 15 of the strip as is illustrated r, more clearly in FIGS. 3 to 6. The sleeve 20 is preferably curved so as -to conform to the shape of the lower rear of the head of the wearer.

The front wall of the sleeve 20 is centrally provided with a square hole 21 4and the rear wall thereof is centrally provided with `a round hole 22. A rivet 23 extends through the sleeve 20 and it is provided with a square head 24 which is arranged in the square hole 21 in the sleeve. The other end of the rivet 23 extends outwardly through the round hole Z2. A washer 25 is carried by the rivet 23 `and it is `arranged between the front wall of the sleeve 20 `and the overlapping ends 15 of strip. A knob member 26 is also carried by the rivet 23 and it comprises -a knob portion 27, which is arranged rearwardly from the sleeve 20, and la gear 28 which extends through the round hole 22 and into the slots 17 in the overlapping ends 15 of the strip. The knob member is also molded from a suitable high impact synthetic plastic material. The inner end of the gear 2S lies `adjacent to the washer 25 and it is held 3 in place :by peening over the rear end of `the rivet 23 as illustrated at 34. The gear 2S is provided with rounded teeth 29 which 29 which mesh with the rounded teeth 18 in the slots 17 of the overlapping sections i4 of the strip 11.

Interposed between the rear wall of the sleeve 2% and the knob 27 is a spring detent Imember 3). This spring detent member 30 is provided with a pair of projections 31 which are received in holes in the rear wall of the sleeve 20, Ithe projections 31 and the holes preventing rotation of the spring detent member 3@ with respect to the sleeve 20. The spring detent member 30 is also provided with detent projections 32 which are selectively received in detent notches 33 in the knob 27. The detent projections 32 and the detent notches 33 operate to maintain the knob member 26 in whatever positions to which the knob member is adjusted.

By rotating the knob 27, the gear Zit is rotated and the teeth 29 thereof cooperate with the teeth l in the overlapping ends l5 to adjust the circumference of the head band so as to t the same to the head of the wearer. When the head band is adjusted to the desired position, it is maintained in that position by the detent means 30 cooperating with the knob 27. When the head band is tightened to a predetermined extent about the head of the wearer, the rounded teeth 29 on `the gear 28 cooperate with the rounded teeth 18 in the slots 17 `to expand the slots 17 so as to allow the teeth 28 to slip with respect to the teeth 1S. As a result the head band cannot be tightened too tightly and stripping of the gear teeth 29 and 13 is entirely prevented. By reason of this construction, the gear teeth 29 and 18 not only operate as an adjusting means for the head band but also operate as a clutch means to prevent tightening the band too much and to prevent stripping of the gear teeth.

In the molding of the synthetic plastic strip ll, the side portions -14 of lthe head band are thickened as indicated at 35 and are provided with upwardly and forwardly facing pockets 36, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 9 to l2. The outer edges of the pockets 36 are provided with upwardly extending tabs 37 and the outer walls of the pockets 36 have rivets 38 secured therein adjacent the tabs 37. A second synthetic plastic strip 39 has its ends received within the pockets 36, this strip 39 forming a cross Kband for the adjustable head piece. The ends of the strip 3S? are provided with a plurality of spaced apart holes di) which are adapted to selectively receive the pins 38. The pins 38 cooperate with the holes 4d in the cross band 39 for pivotally securing the cross band 39 at desired depths within the pockets 36. By manipula-ting the tabs 37, the insertion of the pins 38 in the selected holes 4t? is greatly facilitated. The pockets 36, in addition to receiving and concealing the ends of the cross band 39, also operate to limit the extent of pivotal movement of the cross band 39 and preferably the, pivotal movement is limited between a forward position as illustrated in FIG. l and a substantially vertical position as illustrated in FIG. 2. This limiting of theposition of the cross band `between these positions also adds greatly to the comfort afforded by the adjustable head piece. The cross band 39, as illustrated in jPiG. 7, may be made wider at its center than at its ends, as illustrated at el, so as to provide a large area `for contact with the top of the head. This adds still further to the comfort of the adjustable head piece when worn.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 9 to 14, supporting means for supporting a protective face piece are also integrally molded on the side portions 14- of the head band, one form of such supporting means 4being illustrated in FIGS. 9 and l0 and other forms being illustrated in FIGS. 11 and l2 and 13. ln FIGS. 9 and 10a member d5 is integrally molded on the side portions 14 of the head band. This member 45 includes a pair of outwardly facing diverging legs 46 and also a cam projection 47 arranged therebetween and therebelow. The pair of outwardly facing diverging legs are adapted to receive a pair of diverging and opposed inwardly facing legs Si) formed on a clip 49 whichin turn is provided with a cam recess 5l. When the legs 5@ of the clip are rcmovably received over the legs t6 on the member d5, the cam recess 5l engages over Ithe cam projection 47 for maintaining the clip i9 on the member 45, the resiliency of the thermoplastic member 4S permitting this operation. The clip `t9 may be carried by any suitable protective face piece and in this connection the clip may be pivotally secured at 55 to a bracket 56 carrying the protective face piece or the like, such as a face shield having a brow portion S7 and a shield portion 58 as illustrated in FIG. 14. Other types of protective face pieces may be so supported, such as welding shields, goggles or the like.

in FIG. 11 the clip 49 with its legs 50 is secured by rivets 52 to a bracket 53, the rivets also securing in place a spring cam 54 on the clip 49. When the legs 59 of the clip 49 are removably received over the legs de of the member 45, a cam recess on the spring cam Sd engages over the cam projection 47 for maintaining the clip de on the member 45. Here, the bracket 53 connects the clip t? to any suitable protective face piece, as in FGS. l() and 14.

Another type of supporting means is illustrated in FIGS. l2 and 13. Here a member e@ is integrally molded on the thickened portion of the side portions 14 of the head band, the member `Sti providing an upwardly facing slot 6d. A clip 62 is removably received in the slot el and is provided with a pair of ribs 63 engageable on each edge of the slot 61 for releasably retaining the clip 62 in the slot 6d. The clip 62 may also support a protective face piece in the same manner as discussed above in connection with FIGS. 9 and l0.

While for purposes of illustration several forms of this invention have been disclosed, other forms thereof may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to this disclosure and, therefore, this invention should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

l claim as my invention:

l. An adjustable head piece, for supporting on the head of a wearer a protective face piece or the like, comprising, an elongated molded synthetic plastic strip having a longitudinal axis, an elongated central section which is upwardly curved with respect to said axis, and

elongated end sections which are downwardly curved with respect to said axis and which are ofset downwardly from the central section, said strip being bent into a substantially circular head band with the downwardly offset end sections overlapping in parallel relation, the central section of the strip forming side portions of the head band and a front portion of the head band `which slants rearwardly to t against the forehead of the wearer, the parallel overlapping end sections of the strip forming a downwardly offset rear portion of the head band which slants rearwardly to t against the lower rear of the head of the wearer, adjusting means in erconnecting the parallel overlapping end sections of the strip for adjusting the circumference of the head band with respect to the head of the wearer, and means on the side portions of the head 'band for supporting the protective face piece or the like.

` 2. An adjustable head piece, for supporting on the head of a wearer a protective face piece or the like, comf prising, an elongated molded synthetic plastic strip having a longitudinal axis, an elongated central section which is upwardly curved with respect to said axis, and elongated end sections which are downwardly curved with respect to said axis, said strip being bent into a substantially circular head band with the end sections overlappin 7 in parallel relation, the central section of the strip forming side portions of the head band and a front portion of the head band which slants rearwardly to fit against the forehead of the wearer, the parallel overlapping end sections of the strip forming a rear portion of the head `hand which slants rearwardly to fit against the rear of the head of the =wearer, adjusting means interconnecting the parallel overlapping end sections of the strip for adjusting the circumference of the headband with respect to the head of the wearer, and means on the side portions 0f the head band `for supporting the protective face piece or the like.

3. An adjustable head piece, for supporting on the head of a wearer a protective face piece or the like, comprising, an elongated molded synthetic plastic strip bent into a substantially circular head band with its end sections overlapping, the head band having front and side portions for the head of the wearer and the overlapping end sections thereof forming a rear portion for the head of the wearer, adjusting means interconnecting the overlapping end sections of the strip for adjusting the circumference of the head band with respect to the head of the wearer, the side portions of the head band having a pair of upwardly facing pockets molded therein which are closed at their front and rear, a second synthetic plastic strip having ends of less width than the front to rear width of the upwardly facing pockets and received in said pockets and forming a cross strap for the head of the wearer, means for pivotally mounting the ends of the second strip at selected depths within the upwardly facing pockets for adjusting the cross strap with respect to the head of the wearer, the closed front and rear of said upwardly facing pockets limiting the pivotal movement of the cross strap, and means on the side portions of the head band for supporting the protective face piece or the like.

4. An adjustable head piece, for supporting on the head of a wearer a protective `face piece or the like, compnising, an elongated molded synthetic plastic strip bent into a substantially circular head band with its end sections overlapping, the head band having front and side portions for the head of the wearer and the overlapping end sections thereof forming a rear portion for the head of the wearer, adjusting means interconnecting the overlapping end sections of the strip for adjusting the circumference of the head band with respect to the head of the wearer, the side portions of the head band having a pair of upwardly and forwardly facing pockets molded therein which are closed at their front and rear, a second synthetic plastic strip having ends of less width than the front to rear width of the upwardly and forwardly facing pockets and received in said pockets and forming a cross strap for the head of the wearer, means for pivotally mounting the ends of the second strip at selected depths within the upwardly and forwardly facing pockets for adjusting the cross strap with respect to the head of the wearer, the closed front and rear of said upwardly and forwardly facing pockets limiting the pivotal movement of the cross strap between substantially a vertical position and a forward position, and means on the side portions of the head band for supporting the protective face piece or the like.

5. An adjustable head piece, for supporting on the head of a wearer a protective face piece or the like, comprising, an elongated molded synthetic plastic strip bent into a substantially circular head band with its end sections overlapping, the head band having front and side portions for the head of the wearer and the overlapping end sections thereof forming a rear portion for the head of the wearer, `adjusting means interconnecting the overlapping end sections of the strip for adjusting the circumference of the head band Iwith respect to the head of the wearer, the side portions of the head band having a pair of upwardly facing pockets molded therein which are closed at their front and rear, ia second synthetic plastic strip having ends of less width than the front to rear width of the pockets provided with a plurality of spaced holes and having its ends received in the upwardly facing pockets and forming a cross strap for the head of the wearer, pins in the upwardly facing pockets selectively 4received in the holes in the ends of the second strip for pivotally mounting the ends of the second strip at selected depths within the upwardly facing pockets for adjusting the cross strap with respect to the head of the wearer, the closed front and rear of said upwardly facing pockets limiting the pivotal movement of the cross strap, and means on the side portions of the head band for supporting the protective face piece or the like.

V,6. An adjustable head piece, for supporting on the head of a wearer a protective face piece or the like, comprising, an elongated molded synthetic plastic strip bent into a substantially circular head band with its ends sections overlapping, the head band having front and side portions for the head of the lwearer and the overlapping end sections thereof forming a rear portion for the head o/f the wearer, adjusting means interconnecting the overlapping end sections of the strip for adjusting the circumference of the head band with respect to the head of the wearer, the side portions of the head band having a pair of upwardly facing pockets molded therein which are closed at their front and rear, a second synthetic plastic strip having ends of less width than the front to rear width of the pockets received in the upwardly facing pocketsl and forming a cross strap for the head of the wearer, means for pivotally mounting the ends of the second strip at selected depths within the upwardly facing pockets for adjusting the cross strap with respect to the head of the wearer, the closed front and rear of said upwardly facing pockets limiting the pivotal movement of the cross strap, said second strip being wider at its center than at its ends to provide the cross strap with a large area for engaging the top of the head of the wearer, and means on the side portions of the head band for supporting the protective face piece or the like.

7. An adjustable head piece, for supporting on the head of a wearer a protective face piece or the like, comprising, an elongated molded synthetic plastic strip bent into a substantially circular head band with its end sections overlapping, the head band having front and side portions for the head of the wearer and the overlapping end sections thereof forming a rear portion for the head of the wearer, said overlapping end sections of the strip having adjacent elongated slots therein, the slot in one end section having downwardly extending rounded teeth and the slot in the other end section having upwardly extending rounded teeth, an elongated molded synthetic plastic sleeve of rectangular cross sectional configuration receiving the overlapping end sections of the strip, a gear journalled for rotation in the sleeve and having rounded teeth meshing with the teeth in the slots of the overlapping end sections, a knob externally of the sleeve and connected to the gear for rotating the gear for adjusting the circumference of the head band with respect to the head of the wearer, and detent means between the sleeve andthe knob for retaining the knob and hence the head band in desired adjusted positions, the rounded teeth on the gear cooperating with the rounded teeth in the slots in the overlapping end sections for expanding the slots and slipping past the rounded teeth in the slots when the head band is tightened about the head of the wearer to a predetermined extent by rotating the knob to prevent the gear teeth from stripping and the head band from being tightened too much, and means on the side portions of the head band for supporting the protective face piece or the like.

8. An adjustable head piece, for supporting on the head of a wearer a protective face piece or the like, comprising, an elongated molded synthetic plastic strip bent into a substantially circular head band with its end sections overlapping, the head band having front `and side portions for the head of the wearer and the overlapping end sections thereof forming a rear portion for the head of the wearer, said overlapping end sections of the strip having adjacent elongated slots therein, the slot in one end section having downwardly extending teeth and the slot in the other end section having upwardly extending teeth, an elongated molded synthetic plastic sleeve of rectangular cross sectional configuration receiving the aoaasve overlapping end sections of the strip, the rear of the sleeve having a round hole `and the front of the sleeve having a square hole, a rivet inthe sleeve having a square headat its forward end received in the .square hole in the sleeve and having its rear end extending through the round hole in the sleeve, a washer on the rivet between front of the sleeve and one of the overlapping end sections of the strip, a knob member journalled for rotation on the rivet and having a knob external of the rear-of the sleeve and a gear extending through the round hole into the sleeve adjacent the washer, the rear end of the rivet being peened to secure the knob member in piace on the rivet, said gear having teeth meshing with the teeth in the slots ofthe overlapping end sections of the strip for adjusting the circumference of the head band with respect to the head of the wearer, and detent means between the rearof the sleeve and the knob for retaining the knob and hence the head band in desired adjusted positions, and means on the side portions of the head band for supporting the protective face piece or the like.

9. An adjustable head piece, for supporting on the head of a wearer a protective face piece or the like, cornprising, an elongated molded synthetic plastic strip bent into a substantially circular head band with its end sections overlapping, the head band having front and side portions for the head of the wearer and the overlapping end sections thereof forming a rear portion for the head of the wearer, said overlapping end sections of the strip having adjacent elongated slots therein, the slot in one end section having downwardly extending teeth and the slot in the other end section having upwardly extending teeth, an elongated molded synthetic plastic sleeve of rectangular cross sectional configuration receiving the overlapping end sections of the strip, the rear of the sleeve having a round hole `and the front of the sleeve f Y* having a square hole, a rivet in the sleeve having a square head at its forward end received in the square hole in the sleeve and having its rear end extending through the round hole in the sleeve, a washer on the rivet between front of the sleeve `and one of the overlapping end sections of the strip, a knob member journalled for rotation on the rivet and having a knob external of the rear of the sleeve and a gear extending through the round hole into the sleeve adjacent the washer, the rear end of the rivet being peened to secure the knob member in place on the rivet, said gear having teeth meshing with the teeth in the slots of the overlapping end sections of the strip for adjusting the circumference of the head band with respect to the head of the wearer, and detent means between the rear of the sleeve and the knob for retaining the knob and hence the head band in desired adjusted positions, and means on the side portions of the head band for supporting the protective face piece or the like, the teeth on the gear and in the slots of the overlapping end sections of the strip being rounded and the rounded teeth on the gear cooperating with the rounded teeth in the slots in the overlapping end sections for expanding the slots and slipping past the rounded teeth in the slots in the overlapping end sections when the knob is rotated to tighten the head band about the head of the wearer to a predetermined extent so as to prevent the gear teeth from stripping and the head band from being tightened too much.

l0. An adjustable head piece, for supporting on the head of a wearer a protective face piece or the like, comprising, an elongated molded. synthetic plastic strip bent into a substantially circular head band with its end sections overlapping, the head band having front and side portions for the head of the wearer and the overlapping end sections thereof forming a rear portion for the head of the wearer, adjusting means interconnecting the overlapping end sections of the strip for adjusting the circumference of the head band with respect to the head of the wearer, a member integral with and molded on each side portion of the head band and having a substantially vertical slot therethrough, and a clip for each member having a tongue removably receivcdinthe slot of the member, said tongues having apair of .spaced ribs having a spacing corresponding to the depth of lthe vertical slots for releasably holding the clipsfinplace in said members, said clips carrying the protective face piece or the like for detaehably supporting the same from the head band.

ll. An adjustable head piece, for supportingon the head of a wearer a protective facepiece or the like, cornprising, an elongated molded synthetic plastic strip having an elongated and upv/mdlycurved central section and elongated and downwardly curved end sections which are offset downwardly from the central section, said strip being bent into `a substantially circular head band with the downwardly offset end sections overlapping, the central section of the strip forming side portions of the head band and a front portion of the head band which slants rearwardly to t against the foreheadof the wearer, the overlapping end sections of the strip forming a downwardly offset rear portion of the head band which slants rearwardly to fit lagainst the lower rear. of the head of the wearer, adjusting means interconnecting the overlapping end sections of the strip for adjusting the circumference of the head band with respect to the head of the wearer, the side portions of the head band having a pair of upwardly facing pockets molded therein which are closed at their front and rear, a second synthetic plastic strip having ends of less width than the Vfront to rear width of the upwardly facing pockets and received in said pockets and for-ming a cross strap for the head of the wearer, means for pivotally mounting the ends of the second strip at selected depths within the upwardly facing pockets for adjusting the cross strap with respect to the head of the wearer, the closed front and rear of said upwardly facing pockets limiting the pivotal movement of the cross strap, and means on the side portions of the head band for supporting the protective face piece or the like.

12. An adjustable head piece, for supporting on the head of a wearer a protective face piece or the like, comprising, an elongated molded synthetic plastic strip having `an elongated and upwardly curved central .section and elongated and downwardly curved end sections which are offset downwardly from the central section, said strip being bent into a substantially circular head band with the downwardly offset end sections overlapping, the central section of the strip formingV side portions of the head band `and a front portion of the head band which slants rearwardly to `fit against the forehead of the wearer, the overlapping end sections of the strip forming a downwardly offset rear portion of the head band which slants rearwardly to fit yagainst the lower rear of the head of the wearer, said overlapping end sections of the str-ip having adjacent elongated slots therein, the slot in one end section having downwardly 'extending rounded teeth and the slot in the other end section having upwardly extending rounded teeth, an elongated molded synthetic plastic sleeve of rectangular cross sectional configuration receiving the overlapping end sections of the strip, a gear journalled for rotation in the sleeve and having rounded teeth meshing with the teeth in the slots of the overlapping end sections, a knob externally of the sleeve and connected to the gear for rotating the gear for adjusting the circumference of the head band with respect to the head of the wearer, and detent means between the sleeve and the knob for retaining the knob and hence the head band in desired adjusted positions, the rounded teeth on the gear cooperating with the teeth in the slots in the overlapping end sections for expanding the slots and slipping past the rounded teeth in the slots when the head band is tightened about the head of the wearer to a predetermined eXtent by rotating the knob to prevent the gear teeth from stripping and the head band from being tightened Itoo much, and means on the side portions of the head band for supporting the protective face piece or the like.

13. An adjustable head piece, for supporting on the spargere head of a wearer a protective face piece or the like, comprising, an elongated molded synthetic plastic strip having a longitudinal axis, an elongated central section which is upwardly curved with respect to said axis, and elongated end sections which are downwardly curved with respect to said axis' and which are offset downwardly from the central section, said strip being bent into a substantially circular head band with the downwardly offset end sections overlapping in parallel relation, the central section of the strip forming side portions of the head band and a front portion of the head band which slants rearwardly to fit against the forehead of the wearer, the parallel overlapping end sections of the strip forming a downwardly offset rear portion of the head band which slants rearwardly to fit against the lower rear of the head of the wearer, adjusting means interconnecting the parallel overlapping end sections of the strip for adjusting the circumference of the head band with respect to the head of the wearer, and means molded integrally on the side portions of the head band for detachably receiving and supporting the protective face piece or the like.

14. An adjustable head piece, for supporting on the head of a wearer a protective face piece or the like, comprising, an elongated molded synthetic plastic strip having an elongated and upwardly curved central section and elongated and downwardly curved end sections which are offset downwardly from the central section, said strip being bent into a substantially circular head band with the downwardly offset end sections overlapping, the central section of the strip forming side portions of the headl band and a front portion of the head band which slants rearwardly to t against the forehead of the wearer, the overlapping end sections of the strip forming a downwardly offset rear portion of the head band which slants rearwardly to fit against the lower rear of the head of the wearer, said overlapping end sections of the strip having adjacent elongated slots therein, the slot in one end section having downwardly extending rounded teeth and the slot in the other end section having upwardly extending rounded teeth, an elongated molded synthetic plastic sleeve of rectangular cross sectional conguration receiving the overlapping end sections of the strip, a gear journalled for rotation in the sleeve and having rounded teeth meshing with the teeth in the slots of the overlapping end sections, a knob externally ofthe sleeve and connected to the gear for rotating the `gear for adjusting the circumference of the head band with respect to the head of the wearer, and detent means between the sleeve and the knob for retaining the knob and hence the head band in desired adjusted positions, the slots in said overlapping end sections transversely expanding and the rounded teeth on the gear slipping past the rounded teeth in the slots when the head band is tightened about the head of the wearer to a predetermined extent by rotating the knob to prevent the gear teeth from strippinfy and the head band from being tightened too much, the side portions of the head band having a pair of upwardly facing pockets molded therein which are closed at their front and rear, a second synthetic plastic strip having ends of less width than the front to rear width of the upwardly facing pockets and received in said pockets and forming a cross strap for the head of the wearer, means for pivotally mounting the ends of the second strip at selected depths within the upwardly facing pockets for adjusting the cross strap with respect to the head of the wearer, the closed front and rear of said upwardly facing pockets limiting the pivotal movement of the cross strap, and means molded integrally on the side portions of the head band for detachably receiving and supporting the protective face piece or the like.

l5. An adjustable head piece, for supporting on the head of a wearer a protective face piece or the like, comprising, an elongated synthetic plastic strip bent into a substantially circular head band with its end sections overlapping, the headband having front and side portions for the head of the wearer and the overlapping end sections thereof having a rear portion for the head of the wearer, adjusting means interconnecting the overlapping end sections of the strip for adjusting the circumference of the head band with respect to the head of the wearer, a second synthetic plastic strip bent into a substantially semi circular configuration and forming a cross strap for the head of the wearer and having its ends provided with a plurality of spaced holes therein, pivot pin means carried by the side portions of the head band selectively received in the holes of the second strip for freely pivotally mounting the cross strap to the head band so as to allow the cross strap to engage desired selected areas of the head of the wearer and for fixedly adjusting the length of the cross strap with respect to the head of the wearer, and means on the side portions of the head band for supporting the protective face piece or the like.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,187,932 Cornell Jan. 23, 1940 2,205,742 Bowers June 25, 1940 2,360,482 Evans Oct. 17, 1944 2,550,575 Malcom Apr. 24, 1951 2,686,912 Shipman Aug. 24, 1954 2,731,637 Kaplan et al. Jan. 24, 1956 2,763,006 Amundsen Sept. 18, 1956 2,801,420 Malcom Aug. 6, 1957 2,904,790 Ruggiero Sept. 22, 1959 

